Former metals trader survived the gangster wars in the aluminum industry. His holding company, Basic Element, now owns Russian Aluminum, automobile manufacturer GAZ, aircraft manufacturer Aviacor and insurance company Ingosstrakh. In the beginning of October 2006 Rusal, SUAL and Glencore International, of Switzerland, signed an agreement to merge their aluminum assets into the United Company Rusal. The new company will be the world's largest aluminum producer, with Deripaska holding 66% of its shares. Former metals trader survived the gangster wars in the aluminum industry. In the past five years he has assumed control of Russian Aluminum, the country's dominant producer. His holding company, Basic Element, now owns Russian Aluminum, automobile manufacturer GAZ, aircraft manufacturer Aviacor and insurance company Ingosstrakh. Deripaska evidently feels secure about his Russian property; instead of liquidating assets as did fellow billionaire Roman Abramovich, he is investing heavily in his Russian businesses. Acquired a huge construction company, Razvitiye, from Suleiman Kerimov last year. Married into the family of former President Yeltsin.